Goodness. The Astros took West Van to the woodshed in a 14-1 drubbing that saw Future Hall of Famer Bruce Bochy pull Corey Seager after two ABs. Houston is 79-61. Seattle lost.
*AL Playoff Picture:
1. Baltimore (87-51)
2. Houston (79-61)
3. Minnesota (73-66)
4. Tampa (84-55)
5. Seattle (77-61)
6. Toronto (77-62)
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7. West Van (76-62) +0.5
8. Boston (72-67) +5.0
*AL West Division Odds (and change from yesterday):
Houston: 64.5% (+12.9%)
Seattle: 26.4% (-7.4%)
West Van: 9.1% (-5.5%)
Houston: 61.9%
Seattle: 26.6%
West Van: 11.5%
FanGraphs' Change Since August 15:
Houston: +24.5%
Seattle: +23.2%
West Van: -47.7%
The Game
*The Astros hit six home runs. It's the most home runs ever hit by a team - the Rangers included - at Globe Life Field. The last time the Rangers allowed 6HR in a game was June 16, 2021...at Minute Maid Park...against the Astros.
*It's the 23rd time in MLB history that a team has hit 11 home runs over consecutive road games. The 2023 Astros are also on the list, when they hit 7HR at Oakland on May 28 and then 4HR at Toronto on June 5, their next road game after May 28. So it's just the 20th time in MLB history that it happened on back-to-back days (or in both ends of a doubleheader).
*Days in 1st Place, AL West, 2023:
1. West Van: 150
2. Seattle: 12
3. Houston: 1
*Jose Altuve hit a home run in his first three ABs of the game, the three homers tying a career-high with 2017 ALDS G1. That marked a run of four straight ABs with a home run. Jose Altuve's ABs against the Rangers, September 4-5:
1. Groundout
2. Flyout
3. Single
4. Home Run
5. Single
6. Home Run
7. Home Run
8. Home Run
9. Home Run
10. Groundout
11. Strikeout
The only other player in MLB history to hit four home runs in four innings was Bobby Lowe, you remember, from the 1894 Boston team. They were so old they didn't even have a name. Just "Boston." Altuve has raised his OPS from .899 to .969 in 11 Plate Appearances against the Rangers. Altuve:
It was just one of those days where you feel really good. I was just trying to get my pitch, put a good swing, and it happened...Obviously, this doesn't happen very often. Last month of the season where we are trying to get to first place, stay there, so good timing.
He can hit anything. He can hit standing upside down. He can flat-out hit.
It would be extremely disrepectful for Altuve to get in the batter's box upside down, but I'd respect it.
He goes, we go. That's how we've been. Every time he does it, we're not surprised, really, but at the same time, it's unreal what he does.
Altuve is only the 23rd player in MLB history to hit five home runs in two consecutive road games (on back-to-back days, or both ends of a doubleheader). The last to do it? Former White Sox Great Jose Abreu, who did it against the Cubs on August 21-22, 2020.
We're in first place and we want to pad that lead. Tomorrow is very important and when we get back home, we got to start showing some home-field dominance. Trying to figure out why we're hitting so well on the road and not at home. We'll figure it out. Right now, we've got a one-game lead, and we've got to pad it.
*Martin Maldonado hit two home runs last night for the 5th time in his career. It's the first time he's hit two home runs in the same game against the same pitcher since September 4, 2017.
*Yordan Alvarez went 3x6 with a HR and 2RBI. Since coming off the IL on July 26, Yordan is hitting .316/.425/.534 with 20K:22BB and 7HR.
*Framber threw 7IP, 6H/1ER, 4K:4BB. Framber's last three starts: 20IP, 11H/5R (3ER), 15K:9BB.
*So. Much. Cope. from Ramger Fan.
Other Stuff
*Ryne Stanek was placed on the IL with a "right ankle sprain," which is far better than the "right ankle disintegration" I'd predicted. Parker Mushinski was called up.
*After throwing in 56 of the Astros' first 130 games, Ryan Pressly has pitched once since August 25. A nice little break on his arm.
*MLB Network put up a graphic yesterday for Discussion! or Engagement! or whatever, but it highlighted five AL Rookie of the Year candidates with some baseline stats. They had:
Cleveland's Tanner Bibee: 23 starts, 129.2IP, 10-3, 3.05 ERA/1.23 WHIP.
Boston Triston Casas: 124 games, .268/.370/.501, 23HR/60RBI. 133 OPS+
Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson: 127 games, .254/.329/.482, 23HR/70RBI. 121 OPS+
Oakland's Esteury Ruiz: 112 games, .249/.304/.334, 3HR/40RBI, 56SB. 83 OPS+
Boston's Masataka Yoshida: 122 games, .294/.348/.464, 15HR/68RBI, 117 OPS+
Unlisted was Houston's Yainer MF Diaz: 92 games, .283/.306/.538, 21HR/54RBI, 126 OPS+
*Former Astros Great Korey Lee hit his first career MLB home run.
*On Monday, September 25-Wednesday, September 27, 2017 the Astros traveled to Arlington to play the series the Rangers didn't want to flip series after Hurricane Harvey out of respect for their own Season Ticket Holders. Houston outscored them 37-7 and out-hit them 46-23. Tonight the Astros need 11 runs on 11 hits to beat that ass even harder.
*What To Watch, September 6:
Blue Jays @ A's: 2:37pm Central
Red Sox @ Rays: 5:40pm
Mariners @ Reds: 5:40pm
Astros @ Rangers: 7:05pm
*BBC: Winless, Elusive, & Under Pressure: Jurgen Klinsmann in South Korea.
*An American is currently winning the Vuelta de Espana.
*A Musical Selection:
